Block-making plant.



PATBNTED MAY 7,1907. H. G. ROUND-S. 4BLOCK MAKING PLANT.

APPLIUATION FILEl.) JULYII. 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

moa E'Y PATENTED MAY 7, 1907.

H.G.RoUNDs.

BLOCK MAKING vPLANT. l APPLICATION IILBD JULYII. 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

. IN NTOR ATA n1: Nanms Firmes cn.. vuswmcwrv. D. c.

No, 852,579. PATBNTED MAY 7. 1907.

H. G, ROUNDS.

BLOGK MAKING PLANT.`

APPLIOATION ITILED JULYII. 1906.

WITNESSES:

ATTO NEY` 1H: Nonni; PETERS col, wnsumcnm, D. c

No. 852,579. l PNTNNTED MAY 7, 1907. N. G. ROUNDS.

BLOCK MAKING PLANT.

APPLIOATIQN FILED JULYll. 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

.WITNESSESI A INVENTOR @7 .muy Sign jlwf /TTONE'Y wir Noums persk: ca., wsmfvcmrw, x:4 c.

UNITED sTALTEs ATENT EEreEi.

v BLOCK-MAKING PLANT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 7, 1907.

Application filed July 11,1906. Serial No. 325.739-

To all wiz/0m, t may concern:

, Be it known that I, HERBERT G. RoUNDs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bay City, in the county of Bay and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Block Making Plants; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in plants for making blocks, one obj ect of which is to combine in a single continuously Working apparatus, a means for mixing the material, means for feeding the material to the mixer, means for automatically measuring the amount of material fed to the mixer, a mold to which material from the mixer is conveyed and means for applying pressure to the mold after the material is received therein to form the block. Hitherto mechanisms of this character have been separated in location and action, but by means of my invention I have succeeded in assembling various mechanisms in one plant or machine whereby I am enabled to more rapidly manufacture blocks of concrete or cementitious material than heretofore.

Another advantage attained by means of my invention is that I can vary the quantity of cementitious or binding material to accord with circumstances.

Another advantage is gained by providing the conveyer with means for automatically actuating the cement feeding mechanism to cause a measured quantity of binding mate rial to drop into the conveyer carrying the filling material.

Another advantage is obtained by causing the mixture of the binding and filling materials While in a dry state.

Still another advantage is that the material after being thoroughly mixed is deposited ia a carrier in a suliicient quantity to make a block of the desired size.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a telescopic mold wherein the block is formed.

A still further object is the provision of block pressing mechanism connected with the machine for compressing the material in the mold into block form.

To these and other ends therefore, my invention consists in many novel features and combinations of parts together with their equivalents such as will be more fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a machine embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is an end view thereof, Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one side of the cement feeding mech anism, Fig. 4 is a detail side view taken from the op osite side of the machine, of the cement :eeding mechanism, Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the hopper chute, and gates, Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the block pressing mechanism. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail side view of a portion of 'the block pressing mechanism, Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the carrier, and Fig. 9 is a detail rear view of the compressor mechanism.

A indicates the frame work which is of any suitable form adapted to support a cement hopper (1), a conveyer (2), a stationary mixer (3) and a rotary mixer (4). The cement hopper is designed to receive and contain a supply of cement preferably screened and bone-dry, which cement or other binding material may be supplied thereto by means of a hod (5) supported by a rope (6) for instance, upon a cross arm (7), the rope passing over pulleys (8) (8) and having a turn thrown around a bull wheel (9) carried by the conveyer shaft (l0) whereby the hod when hlled is raised to the mouth of the hopper and there discharged.

A chute (11) inclines downwardly from the bottom of the hopper, the discharge end of the chute lying just above the conveyer buckets (l2) (12) hereinafter described, and the passage of the hopper contents through this chute is controlled by a pair of automatically operated gates (13) and (I4) respectively.

The upper gate (13) slides up and down across the chute, slots (15) (l5) being formed through the sides of the chute and closed by the ends of the gate to permit the ends of the gate to be connected to the upper ends of vertically extending parallel rods (16), (16), the lower Aends of which rods' are secured to a cross piece (17) connected intermediate its ends by a link (1S) to an elbow lever (19), one end of which. lever is pivoted to the frame of the machine, the opposite end of the lever being pivotally secured to one end of a countereweighted lever (20). The vertical rods (16) and cross piece (17) form a sash.

The counterweighted lever is supported in- IOO IIO

termediate its ends by a pin (21), the lower end of which forms one member of a ball and socket joint (22), the remaining member be-v ing secured on a slide (23) received in a way (24) pivoted at one end to the frame (A) of the conveyer, the slide being adjustable relative to the way and having its free end projecting into the path of travel of the buckets (12) (l2) as hereinafter set forth. The slide and way form a tripping lever. The weight (25) of the lever (20) is adjustable.

The lower gate (14) is received and swings between the side walls of the chute (11), the top of which chute is cut away near the discharge end as shown in Fig. 5, and the upper edges of the side walls have the brackets (26) (26) adjustably secured thereto. Journaled in the bracket is a rod (27) to which the gate (14) is secured by angle irons (27'), one end of the rod being extended to receive one end of a crank (28), the opposite end of which crank is pivotally secured to one end of a tovgle link (29), the opposite end of the togg e link being pivotally secured to the side wall of the chute. A rigid link (30) is secured at one end to the toggle intermediate its ends and at the opposite end such rigid link is secured to one end of a rocking lever (31) pivotally supported intermediate its ends, the opposite end of the rocking lever being connected by means of an adjustable link (32) with the tripping lever (33), one end of which projects into the path of movement of the buckets (12) (12). To the brackets is also secured a roller (34) around which is wound a strip of flexible material (35) as canvas for instance the free edge of which is secured to the lower end of the top of the chute and forms a continuation thereof to retain the chute closed and prevent wasting the cement. The flexible cover is adjusted by being rolled or unrolled as the' gate (14)- and brackets are adjusted in the chute.

The conveyer frame (A) is inclined as shown, the foot of the conveyer being located preferably beneath the hopper, while the head of the conveyer is located above the upper open end of the stationary mixer (3). Shafts (10) and (36) are journaled in the lower and upper ends respectively of the conveyer frame and carry rolls (37) (37) around which the belt conveyer (2) passes, shaft (36) being driven in any suitable manner as shown by means of a gear (38) on shaft (36), and a chain (39) passing over said gear and around a gear (40) on a drive shaft (41).

Secured to the belt conveyer at intervals are the buckets (12) (12) of any convenient shape, which buckets are provided with the curved .springs (42) (42) on opposite sides, the bottoms of the buckets having the rods (43) (43) protruding laterally, therefrom, the protruding ends of the rods being surrounded by the circular bearing rings (44) (44) carried by the belt 2 against which rings the free ends of the springs (42) (42) bear, the forward ends ofthe springs being secured near the upper open ends or mouths of the buckets.

Suitably supported guide bars (45) extend parallel with that face of the conveyer down which the empty buckets pass and at a suitable distance from the belt (2), the guide bars being so arranged that after the buckets have discharged their contents into the stationary mixer (3) and as they are traveling downward, the projecting ends of the rods (43) will engage and bear against the guide bars to maintain the buckets in alinement and prevent their weight from sagging and being supported by the belt conveyer (2). Another function performed by the guide bars is to retain the buckets in alinement until they are about to pass around the lower roll (37) whereby to prevent the belt from sagging off the roll.

The operation of the foregoing portions of my invention is as follows-The hopper (1) is filled with cement and motion is imparted to the conveyer, at the foot of which stands a man who will throw a shovelful of sand, gravel or other filling material into each bucket as it passes around the lower roll (37). Obviously the buckets may be filled in any other suitable manner, however. The weight of the lo ad in the buckets will cause the bottoms thereof to move toward the belt (2) against the tension of the springs (42) so as to bring the protruding ends of the rods (43) close against the frame (A) of the conveyer. The tension of the springs (42) ordinarily holds the rear ends of the buckets up or out from the conveyer frame, except when the buckets have received sufficient sand or other filling material to straighten the spring. As the weighted bucket ascends, the end of the rod projecting from the left hand side (in 'the drawing) will engage and raise the tripping lever (33) and through the connections described above,'will cause the crank arm (28) to be swung forwardly to raise the gate (14) to the dotted line position shown and permit the cement held in the chute between the gates (13) and (14) to be discharged into the bucket which, as it ascends, will cause the end of the tripping lever (33) to ride off the projecting end of the rod (44), whereupon the gate (14) is permitted to return to its normal closed position. As the bucket continues to ascend, the right hand end (in the drawings) of the projecting rod (43) engages the outer free end of the slide (23) rocking the latter and its Way upward against the weight of lever (20) and through the mechanism heretofore described, raising the gate (13) to permit a new supply of cement to pass down the chute as far as gate (14). Obviously the amount of cement is determined by the distance between the gates whichldistance Lis :adjustablehtok,vary the IOO ICS

IIO

amount of binding material fed to the buckets. The free edge of the slide may be equipped with an antifriction roller (46) and the opposite side of the frame (A) carries a plate (47), the inner face of which is engaged by the left hand end of rod (43) to hold the bucket in its true course and prevent it from swinging laterally when raising the slide (23). As soon as the right hand end of the rod (43) passes from beneath the free end of slide (23), the weight of lever mechanism forces the slide down and returns the sliding gate (13) to its normally closed position and the chute is ready for the next bucket. The counterbalance on the lever (20) prevents the gate from dropping too heavily. In case an insuiiicient amount of filling material is received in the bucket to press down the bottom thereof against the tension of springs (42) (42), the bucket will not trip the lever (33) and hence no cement will be discharged into the buckets. 1n order to break up any lumps which may be present in the material and to assist in mixing and breaking up the material I prefer to place the pins (48) (48) across the mouths of the buckets as shown.

Located at the head of the conveyer is a stationary mixer (3) the same consisting of a hollow receptacle constructed at its lower end, as at (49) from which a spout (50) leads into the rotary mixer (4). Vithin the vertical stationary mixer are placed the dividing inclined shelves (51) upon which the contents of the buckets are cast, the material falling by gravity through the stationary mixer and being thoroughly commingled in its passage. The rotary mixer is of any usual type of barrel mixer suitably supported by the frame in a horizontal position by the rolls (52) (52) rotary 'movement being imparted thereto by the drive shaft (53), gears (54), and countershaft (55), the interior of the barrel being provided with a plurality of wings (54'), which churn up the material, the latter being fed into the narrower closed end of the barrel through the chute and emerging from the larger open end of the barrel into a hopper (55), the discharge end of which is provided with a hand actuated valve (56). A water pipe (57) leads into the rotary mixer through the open end thereof whereby to meisten the material as it is ccmmingled and cause the cement to thoroughly coat and cohere to each particle of iilling material.

Located adjacent the discharge end of the rotary mixer is the block pressing and forming mechanism, comprising a pair of suitably supported parallel standards (58) (58) which support a bottom frame (59) relative to which the former (60) slides up and down upon the parallel standards (58) (58), the former comprising a hollow box-shaped member open at both top and bottom and provided with sleeves (61) (61) slidingly received upon the parallel standards. The lever (62) suitably pivoted at one end, is connected with the former by means of the link (63), whereby the former is raised and lowered relative to the stationary bottom frame (59). Counter weights (89) are connected by means of flexible connections (90) to the former (60), the connections (90) passing over suitable pulleys (91) carried by the cross piece (71) connecting the upper ends of the parallel standards (58) (58). Fig. 2 shows the former in its raised position.

A telescoping carrier (64), consisting of a rectangular frame openat both top and bottom, is supported upon the wedge shaped plate (65) carried by the swinging lever (66), which lever is preferably adjustably journaled at one end on a suitably supported shaft (67) and is adapted to swing the plate (65) from its normal position beneath the discharge end of the hopper (55) to a point between the parallel standards (58) (58), the rectangular carrier (64) resting upon said plate, and being adjustable in size to gage the amount of material for blocks of various thicknesses.

The material discharged from the rotary mixer (4) into the hopper (55) is allowed to fall into the carrier (64) and when sufficient material has accumulated therein, the carrier and plate are swung over between the parallel standards (58) and above the former (60). The carrier (64) is then locked in position above the former by means of the jaws (68) and the plate is withdrawn, whereby the material in the carrier is deposited in the former in readiness to be compressed into a block. The carrier remains in position while the block is being pressed.

As one means for compressing the material in the former I have provided the following mechanism-Slidingly mounted on the standards (58) (58) above the former (60) is a compressor or plunger (69) which is connected by means of a toggle lever (70) to the stationary cross-piece (71) connecting the upper ends of the standards (58) (58). Connected to the toggle joint is a pitman (72) extending rearwardly and having a toothed slot (73) formed in its rear end, the slot adapted to receive the pinion (74) which is carried by the shaft (41 said shaft (41) also having a bull wheel (75) mounted thereon for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The upper edge of the slotted portion of the pitman (72) is provided witha toothed rack (76) adapted to be engaged by a dog (77) pivot'ally connected to a portion of the frame (A). The pinion (74) is designed to take into the teeth of the slot to force the pitman forward to straighten the toggle levers (70) (70) and the dog (77) is designed to engage the teeth (7 6) of the exterior rack to hold the pitman from moving forwardly and also holds the plunger in its raised position.

IOO

Normally the parts assume the positions -shown in Fig. 6, wherein the plunger (69) is gagement therewith, the pinion (7 4) and bull LII wheel (75) rotating continuously with the drive shaft (41). The pivoted dog (77) .is just out of engagement with the teeth of the rack (76). When in inoperative position, the rear end of the pitman is slightly raised in order to prevent the engagement of the pinion and the teeth of the slot (73), and to permit the dog (7 7 to engage the rack (7 6), When the rear end of the pitman (72) is lowered, the rack (76) drops out of engagement with the dog (77 and simultaneously the teeth of the slot (73) engage the pinion (74) whereby the pitman is forced forwardly to depress the plunger.

In order to swing the rear end of the pitman (72) up and down I provide the following mechanism-Loosely journaled on the end of the drive shaft (41), is a rocking lever (78), one end of which is provided with an arcuate slot (79), one side of which slot is toothed as at (80), this slot beingl adapted to receive the gear (81) liournaled on a stub shaft V(82) suitably supported in the frame (A), and bracket (a), said shaft also having an eccentric (83) secured thereto beneath the lower surface of the rear slotted end of the pitman (72) and bearing thereagainst. The opposite end of the lever (78) is connected to a controlling lever (84) by means of a con necting bar (85) passing through the guides (86) on the frame (A). The lever (78) also carries the trolley wheel (87) adapted to engage the rack (76) whereby to retain the teeth in slot (73) in engagement with the pinion (74) when the plunger (69) is being forced downwardly. A spring (88) connects the rocking lever with the frame (A) to normally retain the lever at one limit of its movement.

From the foregoingl it will be seen that movement of the lever (78) in one direction vor the other will rotate the shaft (82) and its eccentric (83) to cause the latter to force the rear end of the pitman (72) upward so that the dog will engage rack teeth (76) or to permit the rear end of the pitman (72) to move downwardly, to cause the teeth of slot (73) to engage the rotating pinion (74). When the teeth of theslot (73) are in' engagement with the rotating pinion (74), the pitman will be forced forwardly to straighten thetoggle links (70) and depress the plunger (69), the plunger passing through the carrier (64) and compressing the material in the former In order to raise the plunger to the position shown in Fig. 6, I may provide the following mechanismA flexible connection, as for instance, the rope (91a) is secured at one end to the plunger (69), from whence it passes over pulleys (92) carried by the cross piece (71) and one of the toggle links respectively, from whence the connection asses over an idler pulley (93) carried by t e frame and thence 1s coiled two or'three times around the bull-wheel from whence it returns, pass* ing over a second idler pulley (93), thence over pulley (92) carried by the cross piece (71) from which it depends in position to be grasped by the operator. After the plunger has been depressed to its limit of movement, the operator will grasp the loose end of the rope (91) and ull downwardly thereon to tighten the coils on the bull-wheel (75), whereupon the section of the rope leading to the plunger (69) will be tightened and plunger (69) will be lifted up on its guides (58) out of the former (60) to the position shown in Fig. 6. When the plunger has been depressed to its lowest linnt of movement, the gear (74) which is in engagement with the teeth at the curved rear end of the slot, will operate to move the pitman 72 backward a short distance and then run off the teeth of the slot (73) so that when the plunger is raised, the pitman will be forced rearwardly by the upward movement of the plunger. The lever 78 is automatically shifted as the pinion passes around the teeth at the rear end of the slot so that the eccentric raises the rear end of the pitman. As the pitman movesV rearwardly with the raise of the plunger, the dog (77) passes over the teeth of the rack (76), but will prevent forward movement of the rack.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have devised a very compact lant for manufacturing blocks or bricks anc many changes might be made in the form and arrangement of the various parts described without departure from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, is-

1. A block molding plant com rising a conveyer, a receptacle, a chute lea ing from the receptacle to a point adjacent the conveyer, gates in the chute controlling the passage of the contents of the receptacle to the conveyer, independent tripping mechanisms connected to the gates, the conveyer adapted to trip the mechanisms successively to receive a measured charge, a stationary mixer to which the material is conveyed and through which it passes in a dry state, a rotary mixer into which the material is discharged from the stationary mixer, a liquid discharging pipe leading into the rotary mixer, a swinging carrier into which the rotary mixer discharges, a suitably supported form into which the carrier discharges its ing mechanism into which the buckets discharge, a mold form adapted to receive the material subsequent to its mixing and pressing mechanism actuated by the conveyer mechanism for compressing the material in the form.

3. A block molding plant comprising a bucket conveyer, trips carried by the buckets., a chute terminating adjacent the conveyer, gates in the chute, lever mechanisms connected to the gates, and projecting into the path of movement of the trips on the buckets, springs for maintaining the light weight buckets out of alinement with the lever mechanism, mixing devices into which the material is discharged from the conveyer, a mold form for receiving the material after mixing and pressing mechanism actuated by the conveyer for compressing the material in the mold form.

'-1. A block molding plant comprising a bucket conveyer, trips carried by each bucket, a chute terminating adjacent the conveyer, gates in the chute, lever mechanisms connected to the gates, one of the gates being adjustable relative to the other, trip levers connected to the respective lever mechanisms and lying in the normal path of movement of the 'trips on the buckets, springs on the buckets for maintaining the trips out of engagement with the trip levers when the buckets have not received a full charge, mixing devices into which the material is discharged from the conveyer, a mold form for receiving the material after mixing and pressing mechanism actuated by the conveyer for compressing the material in the mold form.

5. A block molding plant comprising a bucket conveyer, trips on the buckets, a chute terminating adjacent the conveyer, gates in the chute for delivering a measured charge, lever mechanism connected to the gates, and lying in the normal path of movement of the trips, mixing devices into which the conveyer buckets discharge, a mold form, pressing mechanism actuated by the conveyer for compressing the material in the mold, and a swinging carrier for receiving the material from the mixers and delivering it to the mold.

6. A block molding plant comprising a bucket conveyer, trips on the buckets, a chute terminating adjacent the conveyer, gates in the chute for delivering a measured charge, lever mechanism connected to the gates, and lying in the normal path of movement of the trips, mixing devices into which the conveyer buckets discharge, a mold form, pressingmechanism actuated by the conveyer for compressing the material in the mold, a swinging plate, and a carrier seated on the plate and adapted to receive the material from the mixers and deliver it to the mold.

7. A block molding plant comprising a bucket conveyer, trips on the buckets, a chute terminating adjacent the conveyer, gates in the chute for delivering a measured charge, lever mechanism connected to the gates, and lying in the normal path of movement of the trips, mixing devices into which the conveyer buckets discharge, a mold form, pressing mechanism actuated by the conveyer `tor compressing the material in the mold, a swinging plate, a carrier seated on the plate and adapted to receive the material from the mixers and deliver it to the mold, and means tor releasably locking the carrier above the mold. y

S. A block molding plant'comprising a bucket conveyer, trips on the buckets, a chute terminating adjacent the conveyer, gates in the chute for delivering a measured charge, lever mechanism connected to the gates, and lying in the normal path of movement of the trips, mixing devices into which the conveyer buckets discharge, a mold form, a carrier for delivering the material from the mixers to the mold, a plunger, toggle links connected thereto and to a stationary support, a pitman connected to the toggle links, the rear end of the pitman being slotted, teeth in the slot, a drive shaft for. imparting movement to the conveyer, a pinion on the shaft inclosed by the toothed slot oi the pitman, a rack on the pitman, a dog adapted to engage the rack when the rear end of the pitman is raised, the teeth in the slot adapted to engage the pinion when the rear end of the pitman is lowered, an eccentric engaging the pitman for raising and lowering the same, and means for rotating the eccentric.

9. A block molding plant comprising a bucket conveyer, trips on the buckets, a chute terminating adjacent the conveyer, gates in the chute for delivering a measured charge, lever mechanism connected to the gates and lying in the normal path of movement of the trips, mixing devices into which the conveyer buckets discharge, a mold form, a carrier for delivering the material from the mixers to the mold, a plunger, toggle links connected thereto and to a stationary support, a pitman connected to the toggle links, the rear end of the pitman being slotted, teeth in the slot, a drive shaft for imparting movement to the conveyer, a pinion on the shaft inclosed by the toothed slot of the pit- IOO man, a rack on the pitman, a dog adapted to engage the rack when the rear end of the pitman is raised, the teeth in the slot adapted to engage the pinion when the rear end oi the pitman is lowered, an eccentric engaging the pitman for raising and lowering the same, a shaft for supporting the eccentric, a gear on the shaft, a pivotally supported rock lever, teeth on the lever adapted to engage the gear and a hand lever for actuating the rock lever to rotate the eccentric.

l0. A block molding plant comprising a frame, a bucket conveyer, trips on the conveyer, a chute terminating adjacent the conveyer, gates in the chute for delivering a measured charge therefrom, trip levers projecting into the path of movement of the bucket trips, means connecting the trip levers and ates, mixing devices into which the buckets conveying material from the mixers to the mold, a plunger, toggle links connecting the plunger and frame, a pitman connected to the toggle links, the rear end of' the pitman being slotted, teeth in the slot, a drive shaft for imparting movement to the conveyer, a

pinion on the'shaft inclosed by the slot in the pitman, the teeth of the pinion adapted to take into the teeth of the slot when the rear end of the pitman islowered, a bull wheel on the shaft, a exible connection, one end of which is secured to the plunger, the opposite end adapted to be controlled by the operator, the connection being wound around the bull wheel, an. eccentric engaging the rear end of the pitman and means for rotating the eccentric to raise and lower the teeth of the pitman out of and into engagement with the pinion on the drive shaft.

11. In a block molding plant, the combination 'with mixing devices, a mold and a mold-pressing mechanism of a chute having a pair of gates located therein, lever mechanism connected to the gates, a bucket conveyer, rods projecting from opposite sides of the buckets, and tripping members connected with the lever mechanisms and lying in the normal path of movement of the rods, the tripping members located on different planes whereby the gates are successively operated.

12. In a block molding plant, the combination with mixing devices, a mold and a mold pressing mechanism, of a chute having a pair of gates located therein, lever mechanism connected to the gates, a bucket. conveyer, rods projecting from opposite sides of the buckets, and tripping members connected with the lever mechanisms and lying in the normal path of movement of the rods, the tripping members located on diHerent planes whereby the gates are successively operated, and springs on the buckets for maintaining the rods of partially filled buckets out of alinement with the tripping members.

ischarge, a mold form, a carrier for 13. In a block molding plant, the combination with mixing devices, a mold and a mold pressing mechanism, of a chute having a pair of gates located therein, lever mechanism connected to the gates, a bucket conveyer, rods projecting from opposite sides of the buckets, tripping members connected with the lever mechanism and lying in the normal path of movement of the rods, the tripping members located on different planes whereby the 'gates are successively operated, springs on the buckets for maintaining the rods of partially iilled buckets out of alinement with the tripping members and guide bars located adjacent the lower edge o'l' the conveyer for supporting the buckets against sagging.

14. The combination, in a block molding machine with Aa conveyer, mixing devices, and a mold form, of a pressing mechanism therefor, comprising a plunger, toggle links, one end of which is connected to the plunger, the opposite end of which is stationarily supported, a pitman, one end of which is connected to the toggle links, the opposite end being slotted, teeth in the slot, a drive pinion inclosed within the slot and adapted to mesh with the teeth when the pitman is in one position, a bull wheel, a i'lexible connection coiled loosely upon the bull wheel, one end of the connection being secured to the plunger to raise the latter, an eccentric engaging the slotted end of the pitman for raising and lowering the teeth out of or into mesh with the pinion, the remaining end of the connection being controlled by the operator to tighten the coils on the bull wheel.

15. The combination, in a block molding machine with a conveyer, mixing devices and a mold form, of a pressing mechanism therefor comprising a plunger,`toggle links, one end of which is connected to the plunger, the opposite end of which is stationarily supported, a pitman, one end ot which is connected to the toggle links, the opposite end being slotted, teeth in the slot, a drive pinion inclosed within the slot and adapted to mesh with the teeth when the pitman is in one position, a rack on the pitman, a dog adapted to engage the rack when the pitman is in its opposite position, aneccentric for lowering or raising the pitman to bring the teeth in the slot into mesh with the pinion or the rack into engagement with the dog respectively, and means for actuating the eccentric.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses:

HERBERT G. ROUNDS.

Witnesses ROY WALLIS, A. A. EASTERLY IOO IIO 

